In addition to an amazing coast, Olympic National Park is also home to some equally amazing forests. Much of the forest within Olympic National Park is actually a rain forest. Contained within Olympic Park is the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the few temperate rain forests in the United States and also one of the largest. Annual precipitation ranges from 141 to 165 inches per year. Due to the high rainfall trees grow fast and HUGE here, with some growing to be over 300 feet high and with a circumference of 20 feet or more!
Above: Not only are the trees themselves big, but abnormalities within trees can also get quite big, such as this burl on a spruce tree.
Above and below: Without a doubt, this is the largest cedar tree I have ever seen! It seemed big enough that you could live in it!
From an interpretive sign that was at the base of this tree:
This is a Western Red Cedar, a type of tree that was very important to coastal Indians. The trunk was used for house planking and ocean-going canoes, branches were used for harpoon line, outer bark was used for bandages, inner bark was used for baskets and clothing.
Above: Elk in the Hoh Rain Forest
Above: The Hoh River is a beautiful and powerful river that flows through the Hoh Rain Forest.
Above: It doesn't take long for a bed of moss to form in the Hoh Rain Forest!
Above: Lichens and ferns (along with the big trees) dominate the rain forest.
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